NEW DELHI: Noida International Airport (NIA) will now begin operations next Monday with one fewer launch airline as Air India Express has indefinitely postponed its plans to have flights from there. The new airport will come to life with IndiGo flights, followed by Akasa from the next day. IndiGo will be the biggest operator at NIA for the foreseeable future as Tata-backed AI Group’s mounting losses have led its budget airline — originally one of NIA’s three launch airlines — staying away for now. Which means, NIA will be buzzing with a little less than originally expected life in the first few months.In fact, AI Express has pulled out of Ghaziabad’s Hindon Airport also and now operates only to and from Delhi’s IGIA in the NCR. “AI Group is cutting costs and may not be keen to spend setting up facilities at an airport in an area where it is already present (Delhi IGIA). The flights that have been cut by AI Express due to market demand and network rationalisation include those from Delhi too. The current services can be served from IGIA,” said sources.While NIA like all new airports including Goa Mopa and Navi Mumbai will see a gradual ramp up in flights as primarily IndiGo builds up routes and frequencies with Akasa also doing so on a smaller scale, Hindon has seen a drastic reduction in flights this summer despite being located in the heart of a densely populated area. This has happened due to airlines reducing flights due to the West Asia war’s devastating impact on operating costs and the defence airport’s own limitations.Hindon last winter saw a peak of about 25 daily aircraft movement, meaning 25 arrivals and as many departures. That number kept falling and is now at just eight with IndiGo having five arrivals and as many departures and Star Air at three. The number fell after IndiGo reduced its operations and AI Express pulled out its 10 daily flights.While the flight reduction is part of the overall cuts we are seeing globally, Hindon poses serious operational challenges for airlines with just two parking bays for commercial aircraft and limited sunrise to sunset operational hours. If one aircraft gets delayed on the ground for some reason like a suspected technical snag, then the other aircraft which was to land and take this slot has to be diverted to Delhi IGIA.Everyone is hoping for better times to return for aviation that will see more people flying again and preparations are on accordingly. Hindon is adding parking bays apart from preparing to expand its passenger terminal. NIA is opening next Monday. “We are waiting to take off once the current challenges subside. The runway is there. The intent is there,” said a senior airline official.
